I have many others at my service, and, in short it, is impossible for a stranger to be better received than I am.

Here are no English, except a Mr.Bertie and his governor, who arrived two days ago, and who intends but a short stay." Lady Mary thoroughly enjoyed herself at Venice, where she found a variety of occupations to occupy her time.

In the mornings she was "wrapt up among my books with antiquarians and virtuosi"; in the afternoons there were visits to pay and receive; in the evenings dinners (at other people's expense--which fact did not detract from her pleasure), assemblies, and the theatre and the opera.

In fact, she found there every delight except scandal, but that she did not miss, because she said, she "never found any pleasure in malice." So strange a thing is human nature that perhaps she believed it! "Upon my word, I have spoken my real thoughts in relation to Venice; but I will be more particular in my description, lest you should find the same reason of complaint you have hitherto experienced" (she wrote in November to Lady Pomfret).

"It is impossible to give any rule for the agreeableness of conversation; but here is so great a variety, I think 'tis impossible not to find some to suit every taste.